A civil society group in Nigeria feared that the provisions of Akwa Ibom State Infrastructure and Assets Management and Maintenance Agency may crash with the existence of Akwa Ibom State Roads and Other Infrastructure Maintenance Agency (AKROIMA).
The Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN) through its Director, Otuekong Franklyn Isong, made the observation during a Public Hearing held by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly at the Assembly Complex in Uyo on “A Bill for a Law to Establish the Akwa Ibom State Infrastructure and Assets Management and Maintenance Agency, and for other matters connected therewith” on Friday, 23 February, 2023.
The CHRAN said Section 4 of the said Executive Bill, which deals with Health, Safety and Environment Policy, was in conflict with the purpose and objectives of another Bill before the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly entitled: “A Bill for a Law to Establish the Akwa Ibom State Safety Commission and for Connected Matters,” which has passed through First Reading.
The body feared that the agency proposed in the Executive Bill, the subject matter of the Public Hearing, duplicates and conflicts with AKROIMA.
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In the face of the conflict between the two Bills, the civil society urged the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to reconsider the two Bills with a view to addressing the anomaly to enable both Bills operate without conflict.
It also observed that the Agency sought to be established by the Bill is similar to, and shares commonality with, the Akwa Ibom State Roads and Other Infrastructure Maintenance Agency (AKROIMA).
However, CHRAN observed that AKROIMA appears to have failed, with the result that state roads are riddled with potholes while the AKROIMA operational site in Ibiaku Ishiet, Uruan local government area is overgrown with weeds and filled with abandoned and vandalised heavy equipment, including tractors, caterpillars, trailers, tippers, etc.
The civil society called on the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly to probe the activities of the Akwa Ibom State Roads and Other Infrastructure Maintenance Agency (AKROIMA) for failure to deliver on its responsibilities to the people of the state.
It was of the opinion that the Bill should not be used as a gloss to cover the failure of AKROIMA.
The CHRAN urged government to take note of existing Agencies, Bills and Laws before introducing new Bills to avoid unnecessary duplication, conflicts and rivalry among agencies of government.
‘‘The dearth and decay of infrastructure in various key Agencies of Government of Akwa Ibom State, like the Akwa Ibom State Fire Service, and urged urgent attention by the government.’’
The CHRAN appreciated the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong and members of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly for inviting it to the Public Hearing, believing that its submission would be incorporated into the final legislation.
The Public Hearing, which was chaired by the member representing Mkpat Enin State Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on Special Projects, Monitoring & Implementation, Hon. Uwem Peter Imo-Ita, had in attendance the member representing Ika/Etim Ekpo State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Mfon Idung.
The event also had in attendance the Clerk of the House, Mrs. Nsikak-Abasi Orok, and other members of the House: Rt. Hon. Otobong Bob; Rt. Hon. Asuquo Nana Udo; Hon. Moses Essien; Hon. Bassey Bassey; Hon. Itoro Etim; Hon. Selinah Ukpatu; Hon. Uduak Ekpo-Ufot; Hon. Eric Akpan; Hon. Udobia Udo, and Hon. Aniefiok Attah.
